Your FarmTo Fork Source

Local food = fresher food

Buying local supports the local economy

Do you know who grows your food?

Buy local to help preserve biodiversity and the environment

Support sm(all) farmers by buying local™

Suncoast Food Alliance

The Suncoast Food Alliance is a unique endeavor to satisfy the demand for locally-grown products in West Central Florida by faciliating the connection between local chefs and area farmers. Farmers and food establishments have long desired to work together, but the rigors of both businesses have limited their time.

That’s where we come in. As a marketing and distribution company of locally grown products, we bridge the divide to meet the local demand for fresh items.

You know your doctor.

You know who cuts your hair.

But do you know the people who feed you? The people who grow and raise your food? Suncoast Food Alliance is part of an effort to bring your food closer to you.

Our Farmers

At Suncoast Food Alliance, we believe that farmers should have a say! Farmers who choose to become involved set the price of their efforts.

Their organic produce is grown in loving memory of Allison Hall Nelson "Aloe.” A portion of produce is donated to children battling cancer through the Center for Building Hope in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Since 1967, Hunsader Farms has been using best farming practices to grow an amazing assortment of fruits and vegetables. Hunsader Farms offers many family-friendly activities and is a great place to spend the day.

The Mitchell Family, headed by "Miss Marge," is the first farm to commerically grow Madras Radish. They are also known for their Heirloom Tomatoes and European Seedless cucumbers. Watch Miss Marge explain her farm.

Part of a larger organization based in England, Watercress Farms provide European markets with greens and lettuces, but these guys understand the importance of supplying local markets as well. Watch Dave explain their new products.

Sustainable Business Coalition of Tampa Bay

2014 Award Winner

Why Local?

It's simple, really. When you buy locally produced items, you:

Get Fresher, More Nutritious Foods

Our goal is to deliver locally grown fruits and vegetables within 24 hours of harvest. Produce picked at the height of freshness tastes better and is more nutritionally complete. As time passes after harvest, nutritional values decline – dramatically.

Help Preserve Biodiversity

Farmers who sell locally are not limited to the few varieties bred for long distance shipping, high yields, and shelf life. Instead, they raise and sell wonderful heirloom varieties that may be hard to find in supermarkets.

Encourage Self-Sufficiency

A community that produces its own food enables people to influence how their food is grown. It reduces reliance on far-off food producers and stabilizes our food supply, which is important, especially during times of crisis.

Improve Regional Economic Health

Buying locally grown foods keeps money within our community. This contributes to all sectors of the local economy and increases our quality of life.

Help the Environment

Consuming locally produced foods decreases our carbon footprint. Because it does not require significant transportation or storage, both of which are very energy-intensive and pollute the air and water, eating locally helps the environment.

Support a Way of Life

The number of small farms in the United States has dramatically decreased in the last decade. Supporting local farmers helps preserve an honest and worthy means of making a living and while ensuring they receive fair prices for their hard work.

Provide Learning Opportunities

Suncoast Food Alliance provides member growers the means to help educate our community about the importance of sustainable agriculture. We also provide chefs and food establishments the opporutnity to learn more about local farms.

Contact Us

Are you a food establishment interested in purchasing from Suncoast Food Alliance? Contact us to learn more.

We believe you have a say.

Whether eating at a restaurant or shopping at a grocery store or farmers market, ask WHAT products are grown LOCALLY and WHICH farming PRACTICES are used, so you know you are getting the freshest food possible.